Changes in the population of nitrergic neurons in the small intestine of hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania (L.) chagasi Karine Soares de Olivera, Sarah Kymberly Santos de Lima, Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero, Márcia Dalastra Laurenti, Jéssica Adriana de Jesus, Renata de Britto Mari

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonosis of public health importance that affects several organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. This is controlled by the enteric nervous system, which is composed of neurons and glial cells. Among the existing neurons, the nitrergic subpopulation produces nitric oxide, which is responsible for inhibiting local smooth muscle and has a neuroprotective effect. The objective of this study is to analyze the quantification of nitrergic neurons in hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania chagasi at different times. Golden hamsters were used for this study, where the experimental group received L. chagasi promastigotes intraperitoneally, and the control group received saline solution via the same route. After the infection periods of 30, 60 and 90 days, the animals were euthanized and portions of the jejunum and ileum were collected and subjected to NAPH-dp histochemistry to demonstrate nitrergic neurons. A significant increase (p<0.05) of 196% and 160% respectively was observed in the 30-day period, while in the 60 and 90-day periods the increase was observed, although not significantly. However, the study presents a significant increase only in the first 30 days, also presenting an increase in the other periods (60 and 90), although these are not significant.